Hip-hop’s most influential clotheshorses
By Emili Vesilind
Rapper and music producer Sean Diddy Combs is hip-hops original mega-mogul, having branched out into movie and TV producing, acting, restaurant ownership and most notably fashion, since hitting it big in music in the 1990s. Combs launched Sean John in 1998, and the line quickly morphed from a basic urban label into an international brand and mens department staple around the world. His success as a fashion tycoon paved the way for Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani and other musicians-turned-designers. Revenue for Sean John exceeds $100 million annually. Not too shabby for a side business.
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Taz Arnold: rocking his look and label, one at a time (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Shawn Jay-Z Carter launched urban clothing brand Rocawear in 1995, with Damon Dash his partner in the influential hip-hop label Roc-a-Fella Records. The brand, which initially capitalized on raps saggy, baggy look, has matured into a more trend-based lifestyle label with urban flair, offering plus-size clothing, accessory, fragrance and kids lines, along with its signature street wear. Jay-Z sold the Rocawear rights to Iconix Brand Group in 2007 for $204 million, but Beyoncés other half who personally prefers a classic tux to jeans retained his stake in the company and remains active on the marketing and product development fronts. Annual sales in 2008 topped $700 million.
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Taz Arnold: rocking his look and label, one at a time (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Music producer (he produced Commons newest, Universal Mind Control) and rapper (as part of N.E.R.D. and as a solo artist) Pharrell Williams brought edgy Japanese style stateside when he teamed up with superstar Japanese designer Nigo of A Bathing Ape to launch two luxury street-wear collections: clothing line Billionaire Boys Club and sneaker brand Ice Cream, in 2005. Marrying limited-edition manufacturing runs with luxury fabrics, high prices and plenty of hip viral marketing, the collections were coveted from the get-go thanks also to Williams image as a hip-hop eccentric whos just as comfortable on a skateboard as he is in the studio.
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Taz Arnold: rocking his look and label, one at a time (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)
Kanye Wests forthcoming clothing label, Pastelle, has been in the works for more than two years now prompting fans to wonder whether its ever going to see the light of day. (On his website, he promises its coming this year.) In the meantime, hip-hops king of high fashion who once said he considered himself a designer first and a rapper second has collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a series of limited-edition sneakers (out this month), priced at upward of $800 a pair, and has teamed up with Ksubi for a collection of spacey sunglasses for Pastelle. But Wests main contribution to fashion may always be his quirky, 80s-inspired personal style. Who else can pull off a faux-hawk with a mullet or a collegiate jacket with a bow tie?
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Taz Arnold: rocking his look and label, one at a time (Jack Plunkett / Associated Press)